OnStar to Demo on Android App for Chevy Volt at Google I/O

General Motors May 18 said it is adding navigation features for its Chevrolet Volt application that helps users track their vehicles using cars on Google Maps and search for destinations on Android smartphones. The app will connect GM's OnStar roadside assistance service with Android smartphones. OnStar will demonstrate these features at the Google I/O show May 19 and 20, but they won't be available on the Volt mobile app at launch, GM said.

General Motors May 18 said it is adding navigation
features for its Chevrolet Volt application that help users track their vehicles
using cars on Google Maps and search for destinations on Android smartphones.
GM unveiled its Android smartphone mobile app for the
Chevy Volt at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in January, promising to
launch the app in tandem with the Volt this fall.

GM said a future version of the app will include a navigation
tab on the homescreen of the existing Volt mobile app for Android that connects
GM's OnStar roadside assistance service with Android smartphones.

When a Volt owner presses this tab, they will be able to
see the current and relative location of their Volt called out on Google Maps.
From
this map screen, users can conduct destination searches using Google's Search
by voice tool, and see where that destination is relative to the Volt's current
location.
Users may then send the destination from their Android
phone to their Volt and access OnStar turn-by-turn directions to their
destination when they start the Volt.

Volt owners may also get voice-guided
directions to their vehicle from their current location using the Google Maps
Navigation turn-by-turn GPS app.
OnStar provides a demo of Google search by voice in this
video here, showing how a user can conduct a voice search for a restaurant and
send directions to the establishment to the Volt's OnStar system.
Tony DiSalle, marketing director for the Chevrolet Volt,
said in a statement GM's goal is to give Volt owners a "personal
connection to their car" through technology.
The move is also designed to help
GM compete with Ford's popular Sync application, which lets drivers control the
car's stereo by voice, among other features.
OnStar will demonstrate these features at the Google
I/O show May 19 and 20, but they won't be available on the Volt mobile app at
launch, GM said.
Features that will be available at launch include; remote
start to set the vehicle's interior temperatures; the ability to charge now or
schedule charge timing; battery charge level display; the
ability to send text or e-mail notifications for charge reminders,
interruptions and full charge; and the ability to display miles per gallon,
electric-only miles and odometer reading.